PEMBURY — Students from Sevenoaks School are volunteering to help hospice patients create ceramics and clay artwork through a partnership with Hospice in the Weald in Pembury. Pupils from years 11 to 13 assist participants in the hospice's free Living Well workshops.

Nicola King, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 31, said that the art sessions at the hospice meant everything to her. "I love coming to this session. It's creative, I don't have the use of both of my arms so being creative is very difficult for me." King described the art sessions at the hospice as the icing on the cake.

Sofiia, a Year 11 pupil at Sevenoaks School, reflected on the connections formed through the volunteer work. "Some of these people we've met throughout this journey, and they're only here for a certain period of time, but we get so close to them throughout art and I feel like art is the kind of thing that really, really brings us together."

Steph Hall, head of Living Well at Hospice in the Weald, said that the sessions are all about the process of being creative. "You don't have to be at the very end of your life to access our services. The thing we ask everyone that comes here is what is most important to you, what matters most to you? And it's through doing these things through different mediums like art and creative arts that they can actually find some joy."

Hospice in the Weald plans to mark 10 years since the programme started by auctioning a piece of art made by participants. The hospice needs to raise £9 million every year to fund projects, including the ongoing refurbishment to create a new in-patient ward and a Living Well area.